Nikcevich leaving council at end of term

Alderwoman Linda Nikcevich won't seek re-election to the Wauwatosa Common Council. She filed non-candidacy papers with the city's clerk's office today.

Nikcevich will finish out her term, which ends in April. As for future plans, she declined in an interview to say whether she planned to run for another office within the city or another level of government.

"I will continue to serve this community long after my term is completed," she wrote in a letter announcing her plans to end her time on the council at the end of her first, four-year term. This is my community where I live, am raising my family and will continue to volunteer and lead in other ways.

Aldermen received election paperwork along with their council meeting packets about a week ago, Nikcevich said. She wanted to make her decision promptly "to give others a change to consider running for office," she said.

Candidate packets for the April 2012 election - the mayor and one aldermanic seat from each of the city's eight districts will be on the ballot - are now available at the clerk's office and on the city website.

Who should run, in Nikcevich's opinion: People who have been active the community who want to take it to the next level. It also helps to have time to devote to answering constituent calls on topics varying from dog bites to overgrown lawns within the district as well as broader city issue like spending to fix sewers and bolstering economic development.

Nikcevich said she's worked to support the East Tosa neighborhoods and business associations; pushed for more transparency in government by having the meetings where appointments for open aldermanic seats conducted in open session and recorded; and is still working on forming a marketing committee to better promote Wauwatosa and communicate its benefits locally and throughout the region.

"I still have a long time until April and a lot of work to do," she said.